Daily Archives: March 4, 2011

Sunday, March 20, 2:00 pm – Drawing and Observing Nature: From Cambridge to Africa and Back

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On Sunday, March 20, beginning at 2 pm, artist, author, and naturalist Clare Walker Leslie will talk about her travels to Africa, the Arctic, and other distant lands to draw wildlife in their natural habitats. Much of her preparation for these adventures begins with drawing specimens of those very same animals in the galleries at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, such as the polar bear, zebra, lion, sea birds, and whales. Her newest book, The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms will be available for purchase and signing. Free with museum admission. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, www.hmnh.harvard.edu, 617-495-3045, hmnh@oeb.harvard.edu.

Tuesday, March 8, 7:40 pm – Evolutionary Origins of Myrmecochory: Clues from Two Continents

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The next meeting of the Cambridge Entomological Club will be held on Tuesday March 8 at 7:40 PM in room 101 of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Oxford Street, Cambridge. Please note that the meeting will begin 10 minutes later than normal. David Lubertazzi will present a talk entitled Evolutionary Origins of Myrmecochory: Clues from Two Continents.  David, who is President of the Club, is a postdoctoral fellow  creating species pages for the Global Ant Project, and has described a Pyramica from Florida.

Myrmecochory is a mutualism that provides food to ants and seed dispersal benefits to plants. Studies examining these interactions have provided important insights in ant biology, plant biology and a diversity of topics in ecology and evolutionary biology. This talk will present details about the natural history of two ant species that play important roles in dispersing seeds within their native habitats. Common characteristics of these ants will then be shown to form the
basis for a new hypothesis to explain how myrmecochory first evolved.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Snacks will be provided and you are also welcome to join us at 6:15 PM for an informal pre-meeting dinner at Harkness Commons, in the law school cafeteria on the second floor. For more information, email David Lubertazzi at lubertazzi@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – An Introduction to the Victorian Art of Pressing Flowers

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The art of pressing flowers may date back to earlier times, but it is still popular today! Placing flowers in books and flower presses provides the best way to preserve the natural beauty of every plant. Learn about this ancient art and participate in a “hands-on” flower-pressing session at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, March 19 from 10 – 12 noon. Prepare for the upcoming garden season! Create a garden journal to record and preserve your garden favorites to enjoy all year long. Journal pages will be provided and a pressed floral journal cover will be created in class. All materials are included. Pauline Bergassi of Petal ‘n Fern Impressions will lead the class, and the fee is $30 for THBG members, $35 for non-members. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.